Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) is a the largest indoor arena in Tasmania and the multi-purpose arena is the primary venue in Hobart for large indoor functions/events. It was constructed in 1989 and is situated in between the waterfront of the River Derwent, the Brooker Highway and Tattersalls Park. The DEC can hold up to 7,500 people for events such as concerts with a seating capacity of 5,400.
Between 1989 and 1996, it was the home of Tasmania's former NBL team, the Hobart Devils, who moved to the larger and far more modern DEC from their previous home court, the Kingborough Sports Centre which only held 1,800. During Devils home games the DEC was often referred to as the "Devils Den" by local TV commentators.
Today the DEC still occasionally plays host to international basketball with 4,000 fans attending a game on 17 August 2006 to see the Australian Boomers defeat the New Zealand Tall Blacks 79-78.
Being the largest capacity indoor venue in Tasmania, it often attracts the "big" artists that tour the state.
It is also the home of the Music for the Masses, Australia's largest quiz night.
Other uses include clearance sales and Expos.
On 8 December 2009, a public talk, titled "Our Earth, who is responsible?", was held by the Dalai Lama.
Famous quotes containing the words derwent and/or centre:
“Adam had learned the jolly deed of kind:
He took her in his arms and there and then
Like the clean beasts, embracing from behind,
Began in joy to found the breed of men.”
—Alec Derwent Hope (b. 1907)
“St. Augustine described the nature of God as a circle whose centre was everywhere, and its circumference nowhere.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)